Fat fishermen catch a break after ban stopping them from going to sea if they were too heavy is lifted by the Transport Secretary

The Transport Secretary has lifted a ban on overweight fisherman working at sea after outcry from the fishing industry.

Mark Harper has ended rules which mean that all crew members of fishing boats have to get a certificate of health before they head to the waters.

The ‘ludicrous’ law, which was implemented last November, said that trawlermen could not be on board fishing boats unless they had a body mass index (BMI) of less than 35. A BMI of 30 or more is classed as obese.

This means that an average man of 5ft 10in who weighs more than 17st 6lbs or a 6ft man of around 19st would not be allowed on fishing boats.

But after a huge backlash from the fishing industry, the Transport Secretary announced yesterday in Newlyn Harbour in Cornwall that this requirement would be removed.

Mark Harper (pictured) has ended rules which mean that all crew members of fishing boats have to get a certificate of health before they head to the waters.

He said the decision, which was ‘welcomed’ by fishermen, shows the ‘government backs our fishing industry’. 

Mr Harper said: ‘This government backs our fishing industry, which is why we have listened to fishing communities and are easing the burden on small-scale fishermen to make sure they can continue their work unhindered.

‘Our fishing sector will be able to continue operating safely, protected by our world leading safety standards while supporting the UK fishing industry that forms the backbone of so many coastal economies.’

The Department for Transport initially said the decision was made to stop fishermen risking their own lives at work.

But now, the DfT says that waiving the requirement for routine medical checks for fishermen on vessels measuring 10 metres and under ‘will ease financial burden and provide support to the UK’s fishing communities’.

It said the decision was being made ‘so that small-scale fishing businesses aren’t unduly forced ashore and financially burdened by the cost of medical assessments’.

The rules could also have led to a shortage of fishing staff, industry leaders had said. 

The ‘ludicrous’ law, which was implemented last November, said that trawlermen could not be on board fishing boats unless they had a body mass index (BMI) of less than 35

Fisheries Minister, Mark Spencer, said: ‘Vessels of 10 metres and under form a vital part of the UK’s fishing industry, and today we’re taking action to ensure those who work on them will not face the cost of medical assessments.

‘Following our consultation, we’ve listened to the industry, and these changes will allow fishermen to continue their important work productively and as safely as possible.’

The UK agreed to take on the rules, which came from Geneva-based UN agency the International Labour Organisation , after a Work in Fishing Convention in 2018.  

But after criticism from the industry, the rules will now only apply to larger boats which are bigger than 10 meters long.